The 21 new Ibadan kings, installed by the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi on August 27, 2017, have issued a dethronement notice to the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

Trouble had started in the state after their installation was rejected by the Olubadan, who threatened to pursue the matter in court.

The new kings and some Baales were, however, crowned by the Oyo government following the recommendation made by a panel set up to review the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

At a press conference addressed by the 21 kings at Mapo Hall, Ibadan on Monday, leader of the group, Oba Lekan Balogun, who is also the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, accused the monarch of taking unilateral decisions on behalf of the ‘Olubadan-Kings-in-Council’ and inciting the people against the state government.

They also accused the Olubadan’s wives of embarrassing the palace through their excesses and alleged misleading the monarch on many issues.

The council members also accused the Olubadan of inciting people against Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who undertook the review, which made him an Imperial Majesty.

They said: “We are, by this conference, giving His Imperial Majesty a 21-day ultimatum to change his stand and work for the improvement of Ibadan, rather than promoting disorderliness. Failure to do so, the entire Ibadan Council of Obas will pass a vote of no confidence in the Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and declare him persona non-grata, and the government will have no other choice than to move for appropriate action.

“You need to know that we the then Olubadan-In-Council nominated and appointed him and presented the said Kabiyesi Adetunji to the government of Oyo State for inauguration and approval or confirmation as the Olubadan of Ibadan, knowing well that under the law, anybody from the position of Ekerin is qualified for the position of the Olubadan.

“The obaship of the Olubadan did not start from Oba Saliu and it will not end in his palace…”

The Olubadan Palace has, however, not reacted to the dethronement threat.